Reclining-chair.



PATENTED APR. 23, 1907,

a. FRANCIS. REOLINING CHAIR. APPLICATION FILED APR.12, 1906.

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GEORGE FRANCIS, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

RECLlNlNG-CHAIR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 23, 1907.

Application filed April 12,1906. Serial No. 311,236.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE FRANCIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at O0- lumbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reclining-Chairs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved reclinable chair of simple and economical construction that can be released for adjustment from ordinary sitting to reclining position or the reverse by the application of a little pressure of the foot either while occupied or unoccupied by the user.

The invention as now proposed to be constructed by me in practice is especially serviceable as a porch-chair, although by suitable embellishment and changes it will be nicely adapted for use in the house.

The invention consists in the construction hereinafter described and claimed, the invention not being confined to the exact forms of the parts shown in the accompanying drawings. Y

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of the chair in sitting position, the section being taken on the line 90 90, Fig. 3, looking to the right. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the chair in reclining position. Fig. 3 is a, detail rear view of the lower portion of the chair.

1 designates the seat-frame, which is provided with suitable legs, as usual.

2 is the back hinged to the rear of the seatframe. 4

3 is a leg-rest frame pivoted at 3 to the front of the seat-frame.

4 are arms pivoted to and connecting the back and upward extensions of the sides of the leg-rest frame, so that when the back is moved backward or forward the leg-rest frame below its pivots is moved in the contrary direction.

Between the lower ends of the side members of the leg-rest frame is pivoted at 9 a foot-rest frame 9, having forward of its pivots a rest 9 for the feet and rearward of said pivots horizontal side extensions.

Secured between the rearward extensions of the foot-rest frame is a T-shaped casting 5, the stem of which is hinged to a small hanger 63, secured to the middle of the inner side of the front rail of the chair-seat frame. The stem of the T-shaped casting 5 is preferably made with an outward curve, as seen in Fig. 2, and in this curved portion is a series of holes 5. y

7 designates a latch-lever or pawl that is pivoted at 7 to the rear side of the middle of the leg-rest bar 3 and has an upwardlyreaching arm containing a projection adapted by gravity or otherwise to engage one of the series of holes 5 and a downwardly and forwardly reaching portion 7 adapted to be pressed by the heel-or toe of the user of the chair.

8 designates a strip of canvas or other suitable fabric that is secured to the top rail of the back and the leg-rest bar 3 and also, if desired, flexibly to the rear rail of the seatframe, as seen at 8, Figs. 1 and 2.

From the construction described it will be observed that the foot-rest frame also partakes of the movements imparted to the legrest and that the foot-rest proper remains in a horizontal or nearly horizontal position when the back is either in erect or inclined position.

In operation it is only necessary to depress with the foot the lower end of the pawl or latch-lever 7, thus withdrawing the up or engaging end of that member from the liole 5 with which it is engaged, after which the back and leg-rest can be adjusted to the angle desired and permitted by the construction. This operation can be performed whether the chair be occupied or not; but if performed while occupied the occupant can assist the change of angle by pressing backward on the back or relieving the pressure of his back on the back of the chair, according to the direction of adjustment.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a reclining-chair, the combination of the seat-frame, a back hinged thereto, a leg rest also hinged thereto, means pivoted to the back and leg-rest and operatively connecting them, a foot-rest pivoted to the leg-rest, a bar connecting the foot-rest and seat-frame provided with a series of holes, and a pawl with a foot-piece on the leg-rest to engage one of said holes.

2. In a reclining-chair, the combination of the seat-frame, a back hinged thereto, a legrest also hinged thereto, means pivoted to the back and leg-rest and operatively connecting them, a foot-rest pivoted to the leg-rest, a bar connecting the foot-rest and seat-frame lIO (.fl I

having a forwardly-curved portion provided with a series of holes, a pawl with a foot-piece on the legrest, said pawl being pivoted on the leg-rest and adapted to engage one of said holes.

3. Ina reclining-chair, the combination of the seat-frame, a back hinged thereto, a legrest also hinged thereto, means operatively connecting the back and leg-rest, a foot-rest fraame hinged to the leg-rest and having a rearward extension, a bar connecting the rearward extension of the foot-rest and the chairframe, and a pawl provided with a foot-piece and adapted to adjustably engage the said bar.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE FRANCIS.

i Witnesses I SAMUEL W. LATHAM, l BENJ. FINOKEL. 

